Canada geese 'seem to be everywhere' in Calgary as annual bird count looms

It might seem like geese are everywhere when you're out for an evening walk this month.

This weekend, Calgary's birders are heading out to track the various bird species, including the ever-present Canada goosethat frequents the city's parks, river banks and even condo ledges.

"I've definitely noticed an increase in the number of geese. They seem to be everywhere, which is great," Nature Calgary vice-president Melanie Seneviratnesaid Wednesday.

The annual May bird count runs Saturday and Sunday, and anyone interested in joining the 100+ volunteers can contact Nature Calgary. They track upwards of 300 bird species, many of which are only just returning to warm southern Alberta.

Some seemed to have arrived late in the city this year, after the long winter, Seneviratne said, but the survey will confirm whether that's the case.

The organization also partakes in a national survey of winter birdscalled the Christmas Bird Count. The latest one found that the city was home to almost eight times as many Canada geese in December 2017 as in December 1987.

The population spikedto 11,145last winterfrom1,406 geesein 1987.

More geese appear to be sticking around Calgaryinstead of migrating south, as conditions in the city become more favourable due to climate change and the city's growth, according to Birds of Albertaauthor Chris Fisher.

Many geese nowconserve their energy by not flying south to find open water,Seneviratnesaid. Instead, they can find open water to stay warm near their Alberta spring-time breeding grounds.

"Not all the geese leave. People think they all fly down south," she said.

The Bow River, for example, used to freeze considerably more decades ago when the survey began. Today, the geese are able to find open water on the river throughout the winter. This also may be due to industrial run-off, which warms up the city water.

"It's a great place for them. Think about it," Don Enright, a B.C.-basednaturalist, bird enthusiast and former Albertan, told the Calgary Eyeopener. "They've got these huge lawns that we keep all watered all season long, and they eat on them and they poop on them.

"We keep these beautiful streams and parks with waterways that are open in the winter. We've kind of set up a beautiful sweet home for them."

Seeking safe 'island'

Condo buildings have gone up in droves, as well, which are popular nesting spots. Well-maintained parks and fields offer feeding areas, he said.

"On the prairies, they head up the riverbanks and they're looking for a place where they're away from skunks and things like badgers and coyotes," Enright said. "They're looking for a nice safe little sort of island, so to them your condo looks a bit like a prairie river ledge."

• VIDEO | How to stop geese from setting up shop

Nests on condos, decks or in public places can be dangerous for the birds and humans. If you think a goose is trying to nest on your property, try to make it hostile by covering open spaces and putting up startling coloured flags or balloons.

But don't touch the geese, their eggs or nests. These birds have been protected by the Migratory Birds Convention Act in Canada for 100 years. Only a professional with a permit from theCanadian Wildlife Service can move a goose.

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With files from Elizabeth Withey and the Calgary Eyeopener.